Oakville joins national SuperWalk to combat Parkinson's disease

Oakville joins national SuperWalk to combat Parkinson's disease

submitted photo

Oakville SuperWalk Co-ordinator Earla Fitzjohn, left, and committee member Terri Armour were at the Oakville GO station on July 17 giving out information for the inaugural Parkinson SuperWalk to battle Parkinson’s disease. The event is set for Saturday, Sept. 6 at the Oakville Place Mall. For more information, visit http://parkinsonsuperwalk.ca.

The national Parkinson SuperWalk is coming to Oakville Saturday, Sept. 6.

The local fundraising event in support of research and programs for those affected by Parkinson’s disease will be held at Oakville Place, 240 Leighland Ave.

The national event raised approximately $2.76 million last year for Parkinson Society Canada to provide education, support and advocacy for the 100,000 Canadians living with the disease.

Oakville resident and co-ordinator for the Oakville walk, Earla Fitzjohn brought the national event to town — she also has Parkinson’s.

“While I do this in memory of my father who also had Parkinson’s, I also benefitted greatly — and continue to benefit — from the support and knowledge I have received from the Mississauga Support Group. I started to walk with the ‘Warriors’ and saw the success they were able to achieve,” Fitzjohn said.

“When I inquired why there wasn't a SuperWalk in Oakville, I felt that I could contribute to some degree in getting one established as I have lived in Oakville for a number of years.”

Parkinson’s disease is a progressive brain disorder characterized by several motor and non-motor symptoms, such as tremors, slowness and stiffness, fatigue and soft speech.

There currently is no cure, but its symptoms are treatable through medication.

The Parkinson SuperWalk is the largest national fundraising event for Parkinson Society Canada, says Alineh Haidery, communications co-ordinator for Parkinson Society Ontario.

“Approximately 14,000 participants from coast-to-coast organize and take part in Parkinson SuperWalk,” said Haidery. “Since 2000, we have raised $27 million for support services, research, advocacy and education.”

This year, Parkinson Society Central and Northern Ontario branch hopes to raise $1 million — the Oakville event will benefit this branch.

The funds raised from the events will go towards research, education, support services and advocacy for the Parkinson Society. For more details, visit http://goo.gl/oyiqQy.

Check-in for the Oakville event opens at 8:30 a.m., followed by the start of the walk at 10 a.m.

This year's theme for the SuperWalk is "Everyday Heroes, Extraordinary Hope.”

For more information, to register or sponsor a participant, contact Kim Murdoch at kim.murdoch@parkinson.ca or 1-800-565-3000, or visit www.parkinsonsuperwalk.ca.